I would like to point out that the documentary at CBC is NOT “Frank Zappa: American Composer” – this is a brand new one and I think it’s better than FZ:AC

Quite right, Disciple of “Bob”. Btw, while you are at CBC Radio 2, check out the many concerts on demand. In particular, the Wafer Thin Mints at The Black Dog Freehouse (my very own watering hole here in Edmonton):

Hey, this CBC Documentary is fantastic. One would think that these biographical stuff are boring (after already having listenned a few), but this one seems to be different: most of the time that talk is about the MUSIC.

And: most of the time the one who is talking is the ever-wonderful Ruth Underwood. It’s just beautiful how you can feel her enthusiasm, but the parts I’ve enjoyed the most are the parts where she shows musical parts and talks about it’s evolution.

Great! Already had only time for the first part – when will the 3rd part be available?

(eh.. I happen to have it… If you listen to to the program till the end, the computer has it for a while in a temporary directory. If part 3 becomes available, I might make a download, but if you make a search on your machine (don’t forget to extend the search to the hidden directories as well!), then you’ll have it. Search for the file “inside3themusic_20090121_11079[1]”; its 25 mb, only 64 kbps, unfortunately.)

“I am all day and night: The Music of Frank Zappa Part 3
[Saturday, January 31 on Radio Two at 12 noon in Ontario, Quebec, Central, Mountain and Pacific; 1 p.m. in Maritimes; 1:30 p.m. in Nfld. And Sunday, February 1 on Radio 1 at 8 p.m. in Ontario, Quebec, Central, Mountain and Pacific; 9 p.m. in Maritimes; 9:30 p.m. in Nfld.]

“I am all day and night: The Music of Frank Zappa Part 3
[Saturday, January 31 on Radio Two at 12 noon in Ontario, Quebec, Central, Mountain and Pacific; 1 p.m. in Maritimes; 1:30 p.m. in Nfld. And Sunday, February 1 on Radio 1 at 8 p.m. in Ontario, Quebec, Central, Mountain and Pacific; 9 p.m. in Maritimes; 9:30 p.m. in Nfld.]

I’d expect it to be posted to the website shortly thereafter.

Looking forward to the next installment. That’s the truth Ruth.

Ruth says: “Sofa is so beautiful”. I agree!
Ruth says: “Sofa could be played in a church”. If they played Frank’s music at church I might go. Praise the lord!
Hey . . . Maybe when I kick it, I’ll have my family play Sofa at the wake.
They better start rehearsing soon though . . . 🙂

2. listening to Joe (the real Joe) here and in similar interviews merely confirms my impression the ZFT and ass-o-ciates are simply overwhelmed. Frank left a treasure trove, certainly, but it is beyond the capabilities of any mere mortal to do much more with it than stand drooling and awestruck. Anything they put together can only fall short of the expectations they have built up.

3. Listening to Gail talk, I now completely understand why Frank spent so much time in the basement. Wouldn’t you? Headin’ for the big divorce – California style.

Also, if you use the Firefox browser, install the extension called “DownloadHelper” and you can easily grab the MP3 file from the stream.

Of course I love Ruth’s enthusiasm and her musical demonstrations, but I also enjoyed hearing from Arthur Barrow – I never seem to hear much about him. I liked that he talked specifically about “Tink Walks Amok”. “The Man From Utopia” was my first exposure to FZ (at age 12), and still retains a special place in my heart – “Tink” and “Moggio” especially.

And you can almost FEEL the regret in Warren’s voice. “I don’t know how I got in his band. I’m 51 now; THREE YEARS ago, I was ready.” Damn. He shoulda been diggin’ it [more] while it was happening, cause it turned out to be a one-shot deal.